The Hidden Headaches of Buying a House in Japan (And How We're Fixing Them) | Ep. 145

Buying a house in Japan is just step one. What happens next?This week, Joey and Take sit down with Akane Hoshino, the operations lead behind their new post-purchase support program, Mokomoko Buyers Club. Akane has spent the past year helping foreign homeowners navigate the parts of Japanese life that don't show up in any listing: utility setup, tax paperwork, and neighborhood customs.Key Takeaways:- Setting up gas, water, and electric in Japan often requires a Japanese bank account, in-person scheduling, and multiple phone calls, and the process varies by company and by region- Foreign homeowners who aren't tax residents of Japan need a designated tax representative to handle property tax communication with the government- Neighbor greeting gifts are a real and important custom when moving into a Japanese home, and food is not always the safest choice- Priest blessings (typically Shinto) are a common and meaningful step for new homeowners, especially in older houses- Internet setup can take up to a month through providers like NTT, which is why the team now ships every customer a Starlink Mini insteadIn This EpisodeAkane's international upbringing across Japan, the U.S., Singapore, and the Philippines, and how it shapes her work with foreign clients- A breakdown of the "core five" post-purchase services: utility setup, bill payment, tax representation, neighbor greetings, and priest blessings- Real client stories, including Joey's own frustrating internet installation experience- Why the team switched to Starlink Mini for faster, English-language internet setup- Akane's picks for where she'd buy a house in Japan outside Tokyo: Fukushima and AomoriResources Mentioned- Ikea Mart / Mokomoko Buyers Club post-purchase program- Starlink Mini for satellite internet setupConnect With UsLooking for a home in Japan? Browse over half a million English-friendly listings on our site, or reach out with questions and feedback by email. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips, home-buying updates, and renovation progress.If you found this episode helpful, leave us a five-star rating. It takes five seconds and helps other foreign buyers find the show